ATPnovel Chapter 4 The Feast at Hongmen
Chapter 4 The Feast at Hongmen
Li Zhao's words caused Zhang He's expression to change instantly.
Colluding with the enemy.
Even in peaceful times, those two words would be considered a capital offense, punishable by the extermination of an entire family.
Besides, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao are currently locked in a fierce battle, so who would dare to get involved?
"I am far from worthy of such words from the Ming court."
Zhang He hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed, a thin layer of sweat seeping from his forehead.
"My master has always been loyal to General Gongsun."
"Is this what loyalty is all about?"
Li Zhao didn't look at him again, sat back down behind the desk, picked up the bamboo slips, and dipped his brush in ink.
"Go back. If you need anything, take it for me."
Zhang He moved his lips twice, bowed deeply to Li Zhao, and backed out of the main hall.
The sedan chair bearers hurried along, and the sedan chair wobbled and disappeared at the alley entrance.
Li Zhao put down his pen and rubbed his temples.
What he just said was 70% true and 30% false.
It is true that the Zhang family hoarded grain and drove up grain prices, but to say that they colluded with the enemy Yuan Shao is not something that could be decided by a single sentence from him.
The Zhang family had been entrenched in Pingyuan County for three generations, with relatives and in-laws spread throughout several surrounding counties. Even Gongsun Zan's army had distant relatives and nephews from the Zhang family.
If someone is really pushed to the limit, a letter of complaint might be sent to Ji County, and even a minor county magistrate like him might not be able to handle it.
Zhang Hehui might be intimidated by this statement, but the Zhang family wouldn't.
"Time waits for no one," Li Zhao muttered to himself.
Footsteps came from under the corridor, and Zhao Yun strode into the main hall.
"The Zhang family is gone?"
"I'm gone."
Zhao Yun stopped at the threshold, not in a hurry to sit down.
"But is there a problem with that wasteland?"
"There are some issues; the land deed hasn't been voided," Li Zhao said calmly.
"I want to reclaim wasteland and cultivate land; I can't bypass them."
Zhao Yun remained silent for a few moments.
"Just open it," he said. "The displaced people are a large group. The Zhang family's land has been uncultivated for two years. What right does he have to stop us?"
"Because his surname is Zhang." Li Zhao shook his head.
"Pingyuan County has been run by three generations. Tenants, shops, and grain stores all belong to his family. If things really come to a head, he will send a letter to Ji County, saying that I, the county magistrate, have forcibly seized farmland. The clerks on General Gongsun's side will not speak up for me."
Zhao Yun gripped the sword hilt with his right hand, then released it.
He knew Li Zhao was telling the truth.
Gongsun Zan judged people by their background. Li Zhao was just a county magistrate from a poor family, while the Zhang family had connections in the army.
Moving Li Zhao would only mean replacing the county magistrate, but moving the Zhang family would affect their very lifeline.
"What should we do then?"
"wait."
"What are you waiting for?"
Li Zhao pushed the teacup on the table aside and tapped the table with his finger.
"Zhang He is in charge, he can't make decisions. After he gets back, he will definitely report everything to Zhang Mao, the head of the Zhang family."
"I've heard about Zhang Mao. He's been operating in Pingyuan County for forty years and has seen it all. He won't be intimidated by a mere accusation of treason."
Zhao Yun sensed something was amiss: "You did this on purpose."
"That's right. If they want to get that land, the Zhang family has to come to me, not the other way around."
Zhao Yun opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He's a master at fighting, but when it comes to dealing with these intricate matters, he has to learn from Li Zhao.
"Zilong, go back to the soup kitchen and keep an eye on things. After today's soup distribution, register the able-bodied young people among the refugees separately and group them according to their place of origin."
"promise."
Zhao Yun turned around, took two steps, and then stopped.
"Brother Li, if the Zhang family really sends you an invitation..."
"go."
"I'll go with you."
Li Zhao chuckled: "I was planning to bring you along anyway."
Zhao Yun said nothing more and strode out of the main hall.
……
In the east of the city, at the Zhang family mansion.
Zhang He's sedan chair entered the courtyard through the side gate.
Before the sedan bearers had even come to a complete stop, Zhang He had already lifted the curtain and stepped out, running straight to the study in the backyard.
A gaunt old man sat in the study.
Zhang Mao is sixty-two years old this year. His hair is gray, his cheekbones are high, and his triangular eyes are half open and half closed.
Zhang He entered, bowed, and then recounted the conversation in the county temple word for word.
The study remained quiet for a long time.
Zhang Mao spoke slowly, without any panic.
"He's colluding with the enemy, Yuan Shao? He certainly dares to say that."
"He served as county magistrate for two years, and was usually law-abiding and had no notable achievements. Now he has suddenly turned on me and is trying to pin this huge accusation on my head."
"Do you think he acted on his own, or did he have someone backing him up?"
Zhang He hesitated for a moment.
"I'm not sure. But he suddenly brought in so much grain, and the quality is so good, it doesn't seem to be from Bohai Commandery. Could it be that General Gongsun has made some arrangements?"
Zhang Mao didn't speak, his fingers tapping repeatedly on the armrest.
Gongsun Zan was entangled with Yuan Shao in the Pan River area, and his rear supplies were running low.
The sudden opening of granaries to relieve the people is not the work of Gongsun Zan.
But with Zhao Yun here, a general under Gongsun Zan and a fellow townsman of Li Zhao, what if…
Zhang Mao thought for a long time before giving his instructions.
"Prepare a feast and invite Li Mingting to come and sit at our home."
Zhang Mao slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the courtyard.
"Just say that reclaiming wasteland and establishing military farms is a good thing for the people. The Zhang family is willing to discuss with the Ming court and prepare a small feast as an apology."
……
The invitation was delivered to the county temple in the evening.
The characters on the bamboo slips were written very neatly and the wording was humble.
At the end, Zhang Mao personally affixed his seal.
After Li Zhao finished reading it, he handed it to Zhao Yun, who was standing next to him.
Zhao Yun glanced at it and put the bamboo slips back on the table.
"The Feast at Hongmen".
"It's not that bad." Li Zhao put the invitation away.
"If Zhang Mao really wanted to take action, he wouldn't do it this way. He wants to find out my background and test whether I have any powerful backers."
"Tomorrow at 5 PM?"
"You may bring your sword at the hour of You (5-7 PM)."
Zhao Yun nodded.
Li Zhao then summoned Sun Fu and gave him a few instructions, which Sun Fu acknowledged and left.
……
The next day.
As dusk approached, the night deepened.
The main gate of the Zhang family mansion was wide open, with two rows of lanterns hanging there.
Zhang He stood at the door, followed by four servants who greeted him with smiles.
Li Zhao wore a faded blue robe with an official seal tied around his waist.
Zhao Yun was half a step behind him to the left, dressed in a gray-white outfit, with a long sword at his waist.
Zhang He's gaze lingered on Zhao Yun for a moment, then he smiled and said, "The presence of the Ming court is an honor to my humble abode."
Li Zhao nodded and stepped over the threshold.
A feast has been set up in the courtyard, with six dishes, two soups, a pot of warm wine, and a plate of candied fruit on the table.
Zhang Mao sat in the main seat and stood up, leaning on the armrest, when he saw Li Zhao enter.
"The Ming court." The old man cupped his hands in greeting, his voice gentle.
"I am old and frail and unable to pay you a visit in person. Please forgive me."
Li Zhao returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "You're too kind, Lord Zhang."
Zhang Mao's gaze passed over Li Zhao and landed on Zhao Yun.
"And this is...?"
"My name is Zhao Yun." Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute, his words concise and to the point.
Zhang Mao hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist salute, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
"Greetings, General Zhao. Please sit down, please sit down."
The three of them took their seats.
Zhang He personally poured the wine, showing no respect whatsoever.
"Your Majesty, I heard about yesterday's events from Zhang He."
Zhang Mao chatted for a few minutes before getting straight to the point.
"Some things, when passed around by those in charge, inevitably become distorted. I am hosting this banquet today, firstly to apologize, and secondly to hear the Ming court's opinion in person."
Li Zhao held his wine cup and smiled slightly.
"What aspect would you like to hear about, Mr. Zhang?"
Zhang Mao smiled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his triangular eyes.
"What does the Ming court plan to do with that piece of land in the southeast of the city?"